I have worked in higher education for over 30 years and I have held leadership and management positions for over 15 years as an Assistant Dean, Dean, and Associate Vice President, and I have served in Cabinet level positions at two institutions.

I earned an MA in political science at American University and an MLitt in political studies at the University of Auckland in New Zealand.  I earned my Ph.D. from George Mason University in conflict analysis and resolution with a focus on resolving political violence through negotiation and conflict resolution processes.

Earlier in my career I managed one of the oldest and largest campus-based mediation centers in the U.S. at American University.   A trained mediator, negotiator, and facilitator, I have conducted mediations, facilitated strategic planning processes, and helped resolve interpersonal, inter-group, and organizational conflicts.  I have conducted trainings and taught courses in negotiation, mediation, and conflict resolution at American University, George Mason University, University of the Sciences, and Chestnut Hill College.  I conducted field-based research during the "Troubles" in Northern Ireland and I have presented papers at conferences in the U.S., Germany, and New Zealand on terrorism, peace processes, mediation, threat assessment, global governance, and peacekeeping operations.   I teach LEAD 607 Negotiation and Conflict Resolution.